LancasterHistory Vice President Robin Sarratt will take over as president and CEO of the nonprofit beginning Jan. 1, its board announced Monday.
Sarratt joined LancasterHistory as director of development in August 2007 and became vice president in 2010.
“The board couldn’t be more thrilled to have Robin step into the role of president and CEO,” Board Chairman and former Lancaster mayor Rick Gray said in a statement. “Her steady hand, proven skills, and sparkling personality will provide great continuity at a very exciting time for the organization.”
Sarratt succeeds Tom Ryan, who has been president and CEO for the past 28 years. The board recently approved the changeover by unanimous vote.
Ryan will transition to emeritus status and will focus on completing the Thaddeus Stevens & Lydia Hamilton Smith Center for History & Democracy, a museum under construction at Stevens’ former house and law office at the southwest corner of the Lancaster County Convention Center.
“Tom’s vision helped transform LancasterHistory from a presence in the community into a leader in the field of history in our region,” Gray said. “… Now with the Stevens & Smith Center, Tom is helping Lancaster highlight stories of major national importance that unfolded right here in Lancaster County.”
“It’s been the honor of a lifetime to shepherd this organization,” Ryan said.
The Stevens & Smith Center is slated to open late next year, at which point Ryan intends to retire officially. In a statement to City Council earlier this month, Sarratt estimated the budget at $19 million.
